Curt Schilling’s manager was encouraged, but the perfectionist pitcher was less than thrilled Thursday after throwing off a mound for the first time since winning Game 2 of the World Series.

Sixteen days after beating St. Louis, the Boston Red Sox pitcher had ankle surgery.

“This was a day when I didn’t feel as good as I wanted to feel,” Schilling said after his 47-pitch, 16-minute workout at Fort Myers, Fla. “My ankle didn’t hurt, so I guess that’s a positive for people other than me.”

Pitching opening day against the New York Yankees on April 3 — probably against former Arizona teammate Randy Johnson — remains a possibility, and Schilling’s competitive nature is driving him toward that. But he wants to make sure he’s healthy at a much more important time.

“I think he looked terrific,” manager Terry Francona said. “He wants to be dotting every corner right now and throwing splits, and that’s just not going to happen.”

Schilling’s 21-6 record and 3.26 earned-run average in his first season with Boston boosted the Red Sox into the playoffs, where his bloody sock became the symbol of his determination to do whatever he could to help them win the World Series for the first time in 86 years.

In Los Angeles Dodgers camp, infielder Norihiro Nakamura, signed to a minor-league contract, was not in camp because of visa problems. Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said he had no idea when Nakamura, a 31-year-old veteran of 13 seasons with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes in Japan’s Pacific League, would report.

In Mesa, Ariz., Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker and some of his players were disputing comments Sammy Sosa made when he reported to the Baltimore Orioles’ camp.

At a news conference Wednesday, Sosa was asked about comments by Cubs players who said he and the team were better off following the Feb. 2 trade. Sosa apparently interpreted that as the Cubs saying they didn’t need him anymore.

“They lie,” Sosa was quoted as saying in several newspapers.

The Cubs insisted Thursday that’s not what they said.

“Did I say that?” asked Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood. “I never did say it, so apparently somebody else lies. Not him. I’m not talking about him. I never said we were better without Sammy. I said I think both teams got better in the offseason, not because we got rid of Sammy but because of some other moves we made.”

Tim Hudson’s agent said he was hopeful of working out a contract extension with the Atlanta Braves before the March 1 deadline set by the pitcher. Hudson, acquired from Oakland in mid-December, is entering the final year of his contract.

“We had a bunch of different conversations with the Braves. They’ve been positive,” agent Paul Cohen said. “Obviously, we’re apart financially. We’ll continue to have discussions. I think there’s a chance it could get done.”

In Tampa, Fla., Yankees closer Mariano Rivera threw 44 pitches in the bullpen while the rest of his work group threw batting practice for the first time.